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Bill Esler
ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.

Woodworking Industry News

ShopBot grows its small CNC a bit with Desktop MAX

ShopBot Tools launched the ShopBot Desktop MAX, a larger sized version of its Desktop-series CNC. Previewed during the summer and shown at AWFS 2015, the Desktop MAX features a 24" x 36" work bed, twice the size of the sister ShopBot Desktop model, and accommodating bigger workpieces, like guitar necks. The Desktop MAX sells for $9,090.

Furniture

Wood and steel: Iron Age Office launches furniture production business

Iron Age Office is a joint collaboration between Sean Dineen and Michael Stephens. With Stephen’s extensive experience as a 2nd generation steel fabricator and Dineen’s influential upbringing in the “steel city” (Sheffield England), the two share a passion for fabricating raw materials into beautiful, bold structures.